Set retarder and air-entrainer composition for mortar

ABSTRACT

A mortar set retarder and air-entrainer composition comprising an aqueous solution of sodium tripolyphosphate, a water-soluble ethylene oxide condensation product and a wetting agent. The retarder may optionally include a polyamino polycarboxylic acid.

106-97. AU 116 EX Umtea mates ratent [1 1 n11 3,769,051 Hardin 1 Oct. 30, 1973 1 SET RETARDER AND AlR-ENTRAINER [56] References Cited COMPOSITION FOR MORTAR UNlTED STATES PATENTS [76] Inventor: George E. Hardin, Bloomington, 3,307,588 3/1967 H lak 106/90 Ind. 3,317,327 5/l967 Matsuda et al. 106/90 z 1972 [22] filed June Primary Examiner-Delbert E. Gantz [211 App]. No; 263,293 Assistant Examiner-James W. Hellwege Rehed LS. D. Attorney-Harvey Jacobson [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 817,183, April 17,

1969, abandoned. [57] ABSTRACT A mortar set retarder and air-entrainer c [52] US. Cl 106/90, 106/95, 106/97, mm solution of sodium trip|yphs 106/315 phate, a water-solubleW yenemmiemrmensatim [51] Ill. Cl C04!) 7/02 product and a wetting age!" The retard may option [58] Field of Search 106/314, 315, 90,

all include a 1 amino l carbox lic acid. 106/95, 97 y p0 y p0 y 5 Claims, No Drawings SET RETARDER AND AIR-ENTRAINER COMPOSITION FOR MORTAR This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier co-pending application Ser. No. 8 l 7,l83, filed Apr. I7, 1969, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a composition of matter which is admixed with mortar or plaster and to the use of the composition to retard the setting and increase the workability of mortar. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of an aqueous solution of sodium tripolyphosphate and surfactants, and optionally ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA), as an additive for mortar, i.e., Portland cement, Gypsum plaster, etc., to improve the workability of such compositions.

in spite of the fact that numerous mortar additives have been proposed heretofore, a need still exists for a universal type mortar additive that functions as a mortar set retarder, air-entrainer, plasticizer, and waterproofing composition.

The aforestated need is satisfied by the utilization of the compositions of the present invention which are set forth in greater detail hereinafter.

In one exemplary formulation a liquid additive for mortar in accordance with the present invention consists of an aqueous solution containing approximately 2 percent sodium tripolyphosphate, approximately 1 percent of a water-soluble ethylene oxide condensation product, approximately 40 percent of a wetting agent consisting of a sodium salt of an alkyl sulfonate, and 57 percent water.

The aforestated composition is added to the water utilized to hydrate a mortar at the rate of approximately 5 liquid ounces to l2 liquid ounces per 5 gallons of water.

In another exemplary fonnulation the liquid additive consists of an aqueous solution containing approximately 24 percent sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, 3 percent iso-octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, 2.5 percent sodium xylene sulfonate, 1.0 percent EDTA and 60.5 percent water.

The water-soluble ethylene oxide condensation product is preferably one obtained by condensing a number of mols of ethylene oxide with an aliphatic organic compound such as a fatty acid, alcohol, amine, etc. Particularly advantageous for use in the additive composition of the invention are materials formed by the condensation of a coco fatty acid, with an alkyl chain containing between about 6 and I8 carbon atoms. The number of mols of the ethylene oxide may be varied depending upon the particular organic compound condensed therewith and may for example comprise about 5 to mols. Condensation products having low proportions of ethylene oxide and relatively low water solubility may be used so long as the solubility is sufficient to permit dissolution in the mixing water of the mortar of a small amount of the condensation product utilized. Exemplary of a suitable ethylene oxide condensation product is water soluble iso-octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, which is a biodegradable, liquid anhydrous, nonionic surface active agent commercially available from Rohm & Haas Company under the trademark Triton X-lOO.

The following examples are included to more specifically set forth exemplary mortar additive compositions produced in accordance with the present invention and exemplary modes of utilizing the same.

EXAMPLE I By weight Water 57% Sodium tripolyphosphate 2% lso-octyl phcnoxy polyethoxy ethanol l% Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate 40% EXAMPLE ll By weight Water 69.5% Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate 24.0% lso-octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol 3.0% Sodium xylene sulfonate 2.5% EDTA l.0%

EXAMPLE III A masonry mortar consisting of:

Portland cement 1 part by volume Lime 1.25 parts by volume Masons sand 6 parts by volume Water (73.8 by weight of cement and lime) Composition of Example ll 3 liq. oz. each 5 gal. of water was admixed and test data relative thereto compiled as set forth below in Table l.

EXAMPLE lV Portland cement 1 part by volume Lime 1.25 pans by volume I Masons sand 6 parts by volume Water (77.9% by weight of cement and lime) Composition of Example ll 3 liq. oz. each 5 gal. of water Mortar of Mortar 0! Example lV Example III Wet density, 1 lbs/cu. it" 126. 8 101. 4 Dry density, lbs/cu. It 120. 8 05. 4 Absorption, percent 12. 5 10. 2 Weight after 28 days, av-

erage grams 256. 3 200. 5 Com ressive strength:

ounds actual 7, 200 7,000 7, 500 1, 900 1,780 1,850 LbsJsq. inch 1,800 1 750 1, 875 475 445 462 Tensile strength:

Pounds actual 320 325 315 200 195 Lbs./sq. inch 320 325 315 200 190 EXAMPLE V A cementitious composition suitable for forming structural block was admixed as follows:

360 lbs. cement 1000 lbs. pea gravel 3000 lbs. sand 9% gal. water v 24 liq. oz. composition of Example ll The composition was utilized to mold 8 X 8 X 16 inches (2 cell) line blocks and test data relating thereto is set forth in Table ll.

respect to particular embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without actually departing TABLE 11 Compression test Sample 1 2 3 4 5 Average Shell thick (in): Length (in.) 15.62 15.62 15. 62 Width (in.) 7. 62 7. 6'1 7. 62 Height (in). 7. 62 7. 62 7.62 Gross area (sq 119.02 9. 02 110.02 Total crushing load (lbS.) 249,000 277,000 254,000 Compressive strength (gross sq. in.) 2, 090 2, 280 2, 130

Absorption test Weight, as received (1b.):

Dry weight (lbs.) 43. 43. 20 43. 10 43. 43.10 Wet Weight ilbs.) 45.20 45.30 45.20 45.40 45.50 Suspended, immersed 25. 25. 70 25.80 26. 10 26.00 Weight (cu. ft.) (lbs.) 138. 24 137. 53 138.63 140.00 137.60 138.40 Absorption percent) 4.6 4.9 4.9 4 9 5.7 5.0 Absorption (lbs/cu. ft. 6.40 6. 69 6. 6. 7. 67 6.86

EXAMPLE Vl Another cementitious composition suitable for forming structural block was admixed as follows:

360 lbs. cement 4500 lbs. sand and gravel 24 liq. oz. composition of Example 11 1 1 gal. water 1 l2 block yield from th e scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An aqueous additive for mortar consisting essentially of on the basis of weight, two parts sodium tripolyphosphate, one part water-soluble ethylene oxide condensation product formed by condensing about 5l5 moles of ethylene oxide with an aliphatic organic compound having an alkyl group containing about 6-18 carbon atoms and selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, amines, and alcohols, and forty The composition was utilized to mold 8 X 8 X 16 inches 30 parts of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate.

(cell) line blocks and was sufficient to mold 112 such blocks, i.e., the block yield was 1 12. Test data relating to the blocks is set forth in Table 111.

2. An aqueous additive as claimed in claim 1 including 57 parts water.

3. An aqueous additive as claimed in claim 2,

e TABLE III m Compression test Sample 1 2 3 4 5 Average Shell thick (111.):

Length (in 15. 62 15. 62 15. 62 15. 62 Width (in 7. 62 7. 62 7.62 7. 62 Height (in 7.62 7.62 7.62 7.62 Gross area (sq. in.) 119. 02 119. 02 119. 02 119. 02 Total crushing load (1bs.) 199.000 196.000 212,000 208,000 Compressive strength (gross sq. in.) 1, 675 1, 645 1, 780 1, 745

Absorption test Weight, as received (1b.):

Dry weight (lbs.) 42.90 42. 70 42.70 42. 70 Wet weight (lbs.) 45.10 44. 90 44. 44. Suspended, immersed weight (lbs) 25. 30 25. 30 25. 30 25. 20 Weight/cu. ft. (lbs) 135. 20 135.94 136.64 135.25 Absorption (percent) l5. 1 5. 6 4. 9 5.2 Absorption (lbs/cu. ft.) 6. 93 7. 0 6. 72 6. 97

, The incorporation of the additive composition in the mortar has been found to retard the setting thereof while eliminating mud-watering." In addition, the additive has been found to be highly suitable for utilization in lightweight insulating type concrete inasmuch as such concrete with the additive utilized therein has been found to undergo an approximately 15 percent increase in volume over the same concrete admixture without the additive. Furthermore, due to the plasticizing effect of the composition an approximately 20 percent increase in the workability of the concrete was observed and as a result thereof such operations as tuck pointing of masonry structures has been rendered substantially easier.

Still further, the utilization of the inventive composi tions with Gypsum cements, also in the order of 3 liquid ounces to 12 liquid ounces per 5 gallons of water utilized in hydrating the Gypsum cement, has been found to prevent trowel burns, minimize cracking, peeling and chalking of the plaster.

While the present invention has been described with wherein said ethylene oxide condensation product is iso-octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol.

4. An aqueous additive for mortar consisting essentially of, on the basis of weight, 24 parts sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, three parts iso-octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, two and one-half parts sodium xylene sulfonate, one part ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 69 and one-half parts water.

5. A hydrated mortar composition consisting essentially of Portland cement, aggregate, mortar and from about 3 to 12 liquid ounces per 5 gallons of mortar hydrating water of an additive consisting essentially of two parts sodium tripolyphosphate, one part watersoluble organic ethylene oxide condensation product formed by condensing about 5-15 mols of ethylene oxide with an aliphatic organic compound having an alkyl group containing about 6-18 carbon atoms and selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, amines, and alcohols, 40 parts of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate and 57 parts water. t =8 i 4 i 

2. An aqueous additive as claimed in claim 1 including 57 parts water.
 3. An aqueous additive as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ethylene oxide condensation product is iso-octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol.
 4. An aqueous additive for mortar consisting essentially of, on the basis of weight, 24 parts sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, three parts iso-octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, two and one-half parts sodium xylene sulfonate, one part ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 69 and one-half parts water.
 5. A hydrated mortar composition consisting essentially of Portland cement, aggregate, mortar and from about 3 to 12 liquid ounces per 5 gallons of mortar hydrating water of an additive consisting essentially of two parts sodium tripolyphosphate, one part water-soluble organic ethylene oxide condensation product formed by condensing about 5-15 mols of ethylene oxide with an aliphatic organic compound having an alkyl group containing about 6-18 carbon atoms and selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, amines, and alcohols, 40 parts of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate and 57 parts water. 